Auxiliary exerciser for an exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

An auxiliary exercise apparatus for exercising portions of the upper body is provided for use with a stationary exercise apparatus which exercises the lower body. The auxiliary exercise apparatus has resistance mechanisms which are coupled to actuating means, in turn coupled to handles. The resistance mechanisms are independently actuable and provide exercise for the upper body by resisting motion in the direction of the handles when the handles are pulled. The degree of resistance to motion may be adjusted by changing the tension member providing the resistance, or by adjusting the strength of the tension member by means of external controls.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to exercise equipment, in particular to an attachment for an exercise apparatus which provides tension exercise equipment for exercising the upper body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Stationary exercise equipment such as stationary exercise bicycles are popular apparatus in gymnasiums and other indoor workout facilities, and for the home. Stationary equipment such as an exercise bicycle typically consists of the frame, seat, stem and handles of a typical bicycle, but is provided with a single wheel which is chain-linked to a pair of foot pedals. The entire stationary bicycle assembly is mounted on a stand or pedestal so that the wheel does not actually contact the ground, but is usually provided with a tensioning mechanism to provide resistance to pedalling. The construction of a stationary bicycle is such that the user may sit in the seat, grasp the handles, and pedal the stationary bicycle, thus exercising and strengthening the leg muscles.

[0003] A significant drawback of the stationary exerciser such as the stationary bicycle is that only the lower body muscles are exercised. The upper body is relatively stationary, as the user is typically holding onto the stationary bicycle handles. Unlike a travelling bicycle, there is no need to steer the stationary bicycle or maintain one's balance by holding on to the handles. The upper body is thus needlessly kept motionless while the lower body is exercised.

[0004] It is therefore desirable to provide exercise apparatus which may be used in conjunction with stationary exercise equipment in order to exercise the upper as well as the lower body. Furthermore, it is desirable to provide exercise equipment for exercising the upper body which may be universally fitted to existing stationary exercise equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention thus provides an auxiliary exercise apparatus having at least two independent resistance mechanisms for exercising portions of the upper body, and adapted to be mounted on a stationary lower body exercise apparatus, the auxiliary exercise apparatus comprising.

[0006] The invention further provides an auxiliary exercise apparatus for exercising portions of the upper body. The apparatus is adapted to be mounted on a stationary exercise apparatus which is used to exercise portions of the lower body. The auxiliary exercise apparatus includes at least two independent resistance mechanisms and actuating means coupled to each of the resistance mechanisms, the actuating means also being coupled to a handle. When the auxiliary exercise apparatus is mounted on a stationary exercise apparatus, the handles are positioned such that when a user is using the stationary exercise apparatus, the user may also use the auxiliary exercise apparatus by means of the handle. In one embodiment, the resistance mechanisms are provided with a pulley wheel coupled to the actuating means and mounted on an axle, the pulley wheel and the axle being coupled by a tension member of a given strength so that when the handle is pulled, the tension member resists the rotation of the pulley.

[0007] The invention further provides that the strength of the tension member may be adjusted by the user by an adjustment means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In drawings which illustrate by way of example only a preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the auxiliary exerciser, mounted on an exercise apparatus.

[0010]FIG. 2 is side view of the preferred embodiment of the auxiliary exerciser of FIG. 1 showing the attachment means.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of FIG. 2 with the attachment means omitted for clarity.

[0012]FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of a pulley wheel in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the auxiliary exerciser 10 is mounted on a typical exercise apparatus 100. The auxiliary exerciser 10 is mounted to the stem 110 of the exercise apparatus 100 using an attachment means 30 which is provided on the support 32. Mounted on the support 32 is the casing 12, which contains the resistance mechanism described below. The casing 12 preferably comprises an upper wall 16, a lower wall 18, and side walls 14. The casing 12 defines one or more openings 24 through which the handles 20 project. The direction of the opening 24 in relation to the casing 12 defines an operating direction d. As described below, the handles 20 are capable of being pulled in the general direction d, with some latitude to account for differences in height, arm length etc. of the user. The casing 12 may be shaped in a somewhat teardrop configuration as indicated in FIG. 1, to accommodate the resistance mechanism of the auxiliary exerciser 10.

[0014] Each handle 20 is configured to be grasped by a user's hand. Preferably, the handles 20 are each provided with a grip 22, which may be padded or otherwise finished to provide comfort to the user.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 2, the attachment means 30 of the auxiliary exerciser 10 is configured to be releasably mounted on the stem 110 of an exercise apparatus 100. The attachment means 30 preferably comprises a bracket 38 shaped to receive the support 32. The bracket 38 is releasably fastened to the support 32 by means of bolts 34 provided on either side of the bracket 38 to mount the auxiliary exerciser 10 on the stem 110. The bracket 38 is fitted around the stem 110 and the support 32 is then affixed to the bracket 38 by means of bolts 34. The vertical position of the bracket 38 on the stem 110 is maintained by tightening the bolt 36, which passes through a threaded hole in the bracket 38 and contacts the stem 110 to draw the support 32 against the stem 110 in locking frictional engagement.

[0016] The auxiliary exerciser 10 should be mounted on the stem 110 such that the handles 20 project from the openings 24 without obstruction by the exercise apparatus 110, in particular from the exercise apparatus handles 140. Preferably, the handles 20 and the operating direction d should extend in a plane that is afforded a clear path between the auxiliary exerciser 10 and the user when positioned to use the exercise apparatus 100; ideally, the handles 20 will extend above the exercise apparatus handles 140. In order to accommodate the requirements of the user or the particular configuration of the exercise apparatus 100, the support 32 preferably provides an adjustment means for altering the angle at which the auxiliary exerciser 10 is mounted, independently of the attachment means 30, shown at 34 in FIG. 2.

[0017] The resistance mechanism of the auxiliary exerciser 10 is a device which provides resistance to motion in the operating direction d when the auxiliary exerciser 10 is in use. This device may be an elastic member or an extension spring fixed at one end to the interior of the casing 12 and fixed at the other end to a handle 20. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in a preferred embodiment the resistance mechanism of the auxiliary exerciser 10 is provided in a pulley system 50 contained within the casing 12. Two pulley wheels 52 are independently mounted between an inner wall or support 70 and the side wall 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the pulley wheels 52 are mounted directly on the inner walls 70 and are free from contact with the side walls 14. As shown in FIG. 4, each pulley wheel 52 comprises a hub 56 with a central shaft 57. A flange 54 extends radially from the outside face of the hub 56. The hub 56 and shaft 57 are constructed such that the shaft 57 extends from the outside face of the hub 56 and partially into the interior of the hub 56. This configuration thus defines an open area in hub 56. An axle 60 having a narrower portion and an enlargement 62 is disposed such that the narrower portion of the axle 60 is fitted within shaft 57, and the enlargement 62 is disposed within the open area of hub 56. The enlargement 62 thus maintains the pulley wheel 52 in position when it is mounted in the auxiliary exerciser 10. The outer end 56 of the axle 60 is shaped to hold the pulley wheel 52 on the axle 60. The inner end 65 of the axle 60 is configured to be received within a corresponding portion of the inner wall 70 (not shown) to hold the axle 60 in rotationally fixed position while the pulley wheel 52 rotates. The axle 60 is further provided with a bore 64. The hub 56 is also provided with a bore 68. A tension-exerting member 80, such as an extension spring, is fed at either end through the bores 68 and 64 and fastened to the hub 56 and the axle 60, respectively.

[0018] A cord 90, shown in phantom in FIG. 2, is wound around at least a portion of the hub 56 and one end of the cord 90 is fastened thereto. A handle 20 is fastened to the opposite end of the cord 90. The cords 90 attached to each pulley wheel 52 are passed through the opening 24 such that the handles 20 extend from the opening 24.

[0019] In use, when the auxiliary exerciser 10 is mounted on an exercise apparatus 100, the user assumes the typical position for user of the exercise apparatus 100, in the case of the exercise bicycle shown in FIG. 1 by sitting on the seat 120. The user may then grasp the handles 120 and pull on the handles 20 in the operating direction d. As the handle 20 is pulled, the cord 90 attached thereto is likewise pulled in the operating direction d, causing the portion of the cord 90 wound around the hub 56 to become unwound. At the same time, the pulley wheel 52 rotates in the unwinding direction, thus causing the tension member 80 to wind around the shaft 57 as the pulley wheel 52 rotates. The tension member 80 resists this rotation, and applies a force against the motion by the user in the opposite direction. The user thus experiences a resistance as the handle 20 is pulled in the operating direction d. When the user relaxes the force applied to the handle 20, the tension member 80 contracts and causes the pulley wheel 52 to rotate in the opposite direction, thus retracting the cord 90 and returning the handle 20 to its original position protruding from the opening 24. As each pulley wheel 52 is independent and provided with its own cord 90, handle 20 and tension member 80, it will be appreciated that the pulley systems 50 can be operated independently, providing the user with the option of using one handle, or both handles at the same time or in alternate fashion. Independent resistance mechanisms are provided for each handle 20, although the resistance mechanisms may be coupled to a single handle 20.

[0020] It will also be appreciated that the degree of resistance offered by the tension member 80 is determined by the strength of the tension member 80 itself. If a greater degree of resistance is desired, the tension member 80 may be replaced with a more resistant member which exerts a higher retraction force, or an alternate method of applying resistance to the motion of the pulley wheel 52 may be employed, such that the user may adjust the degree of resistance afforded by the pulley system 50 by adjusting controls on the outside of the casing 12 as is commonly used for the wheel of an exercise bicycle.

[0021] Various embodiments of the present invention having been thus described in detail by way of example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. The invention includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. 1. An auxiliary exercise apparatus for exercising portions of the upper body and adapted to be mounted on a stationary exercise apparatus, the auxiliary exercise apparatus comprising: at least two independent resistance mechanisms; an actuating means coupled to each of the at least two resistance mechanisms, the actuating means being coupled to a handle; wherein when the auxiliary exercise apparatus is mounted on a stationary exercise apparatus, the handles are disposed in relation to a user of the stationary exercise apparatus such that the user is able to use the stationary exercise apparatus and actuate the independent resistance mechanisms by means of the handle.
 2. The auxiliary exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the resistance mechanisms comprises a pulley wheel coupled to the actuating means and rotationally mounted on an axle, the pulley wheel and the axle being coupled by a tension member of a given strength such that the tension member resists the rotation of the pulley wheel when the handle is pulled.
 3. The auxiliary exercise apparatus of claim 3 wherein the strength of the tension member is variable by an adjustment means.
 4. The auxiliary exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is adapted to be mounted on a stationary exercise apparatus for exercising at least one portion of the lower body.
 5. An auxiliary exercise apparatus adapted to be mounted on a stationary lower body exercise apparatus, the auxiliary exercise apparatus comprising at least two independent resistance mechanisms for exercising portions of the upper body.
 6. The auxiliary exercise apparatus of claim 5 further comprising an actuating means coupled to each of the at least two resistance mechanisms, the actuating means being coupled to a handle, wherein when the auxiliary exercise apparatus is mounted on a stationary exercise apparatus, the handles are disposed in relation to a user of the stationary exercise apparatus such that the user is able to use the stationary exercise apparatus and actuate the independent resistance mechanisms by means of the handle.
 7. The auxiliary exercise apparatus of claim 6 wherein each independent resistance mechanism comprises a pulley wheel coupled to the actuating means and rotationally mounted on an axle, the pulley wheel and the axle being coupled by a tension member of a given strength such that the tension member resists the rotation of the pulley wheel when the handle is pulled.
 8. The auxiliary exercise apparatus of claim 7 wherein the strength of the tension member is variable by an adjustment means.
 9. The auxiliary exercise apparatus of claim 5 wherein the apparatus is adapted to be mounted on a stationary exercise apparatus for exercising at least one portion of the lower body. 